The lease on my '03 Tahoe comes to up in January. This week I testdrove a 2500 Mega Cab with the Hemi and I also testdrove a 3500 regular cab with Cummins and duelies. The whole objective here is to get the baddest looking truck possible. I would buy a Ford Excursion if they continued to make it (my dream pickup however is a monster custom F650 pickup). I just don't find the new Tahoe to big enough or bad enough looking. NTM the fact that I see way to many soccer moms driving them.

The problem that I'm having is that I am accustomed to driving the Tahoe, which is akin to driving a 4x4 Lazy-Boy around town. The 3500 was no plush ride. The 2500 was a bit better (but no bad-*** duelies). Is there any after-market suspension components that would soften up the ride? I don't see myself even exceding the weight class on a 1500, let alone a 3500. So reducing the load capacity is a non-issue. Also, the dealer mentioned that a customer of his told him of a chip/exhaust upgrade that would take the Cummins to over 900 lb-ft of torque. Has anyone else heard of this? I'd hate to buy something and then a few months down the road, all I have to show for my Cummins is a piece of ****.

Can anyone hear provide me with some guidance? Thanks.

 

Dude, you shouldn't buy a truck to be the biggest and baddest. A 3500 is way more truck than you'll ever need. Besides, the insurance alone will kill you. Just my two cents/

 

Just to clarify, I'm not looking to be the biggest nor the baddest. I just want a nice, big, truck. No lift kits or massive Mickey Thompsons for me. I still have to drive this around town. I'm happy with what Dodge has to offer from the factory. I did however find out about air ride suspension. That may solve the hard dually ride. As for the insurance, I received an online quote from GEICO, and the 6 month policy rate is $757.70 and in NJ, that's great.

 

Insurance is usually cheaper on a 3500. Insurance companies classify it as a commercial vehicle. I have 3 Ram 3500, i could have gotten away with 2500, but insurance is cheaper on 3500. And the only real difference is one set of leafs in the back. Also, price differnce is only about $1200. Here in Canada anyway!

 

Of course the addition of two rear wheels also sets the 2500 and 3500 (unless of course you delete the duallies) apart. During the testdrive of the 3500, the dealer pointed out that driving with duallies requires additional attention. Judging the width of the vehicle is not only difficult for the drivier (though I would assume you would get used to it), but for other motorists as well. He said they often hit the flairs thinking thy can get around you.